SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — SELCO Community Credit Union has launched SELCO Steps Up, which it is describing as a “reimagined and expanded” approach to community involvement.
SELCO said the new program aims to create positive, innovative, and lasting change through community giving, volunteerism, financial education, and student and educator support.
“SELCO Steps Up not only significantly expands support for many of the credit union’s existing philanthropic efforts, but it also includes new programs and partnerships with a wide range of community organizations,” the $2.72-billion SELCO CU said. “Some new programs include funding for three regional classroom makeovers annually, a SELCO team member-directed giving initiative worth as much as $50,000 annually, and an expanded sponsorship and donation effort that includes crisis aid.”
The credit union said it hopes the initiative will serve as a model for how other businesses can implement a more focused and purpose-driven giving strategy in their communities.
New & Innovative
“Through SELCO Steps Up, we are looking for ways to identify the changing needs of the communities we serve, and find new and innovative methods that will leave a lasting impact,” said Olivia Sorensen, senior community development specialist for SELCO. “SELCO has nearly a century of history when it comes to helping our communities. With that experience, we know that it is not enough to simply write a check. Our goal is to uplift and empower while addressing key societal challenges with a focus on issues that we can do the most good, namely financial education, removing barriers to education, and supporting students and educators.”
The Expanded Program
SELCO Steps Up includes both new and existing—albeit expanded—programs, the credit union said, including:
- SELCO Scholarships. “Now in its 30th year, SELCO Steps Up has expanded its annual scholarship program, opening eligibility to vocational, continuing, and nontraditional students and increasing the total value of its scholarships by nearly 50%, to $77,500.”
- SPARK! Creative Learning Grants. “Designed for K-12 educators with creative classroom ideas but lacking funds to get those projects off the ground, SPARK! Creative Learning Grants will receive a significant boost under SELCO Steps Up. Individual grants will increase to as much as $2,500, up from $1,000 in previous years, to support larger and more impactful projects.”
- Regional Classroom Makeovers. “Beginning this year, SELCO Steps Up will support three classroom makeovers annually for as much as $15,000 each. Each year, SELCO members will help identify an educator in each of the three regions that SELCO serves: the Willamette Valley, Central and Eastern Oregon, and Northern Oregon.”
- Team Member-Directed Giving. “Another new initiative under SELCO Steps Up, SELCO has pledged as much as $50,000 to match any of its nearly 500 employees’ donations to a community nonprofit.”
- Sponsorships and Donations. “SELCO Steps Up will also expand its focus on sponsorships and donations to include crisis aid, such as wildfire relief. SELCO will continue seeking partnerships with programs and organizations that remove barriers to learning, particularly concerning youth and financial education, but the wider focus will help SELCO Steps Up address pressing community needs as they develop.”
Program Kicks Off
To kick off SELCO Steps Up, the credit union said its employees are nominating local nonprofits, with its members to then vote in person on how more than $10,000 is allocated across the regions SELCO serves.
In addition, SELCO said it will decorate each branch and offer free local treats to celebrate the launch, while employees wear SELCO Steps Up t-shirts and “I Step Up For” personalized buttons that share the causes they're passionate about.
“This is just the beginning for SELCO Steps Up, and we envision a long-term program that will continually evolve in what we view as an all-out effort to make a significant impact for years to come,” said Sorensen. “Our goal is to elevate those in need through contributions of our time, meaningful programs, and resources, and in doing so make positive and long-lasting change. That work will never truly be done.”
SELCO Community has more than 151,000 members.
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